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Harmony of the Seas: World's largest cruise ship in Southampton

Media captionHarmony of the Seas arrived in Southampton under clear blue skies

The world's largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, has arrived in the UK.

The £783m vessel, which came into Southampton earlier, is 361m (1,187ft) long and can carry 6,780 passengers.

It features 20 restaurants, 23 swimming pools and took more than two-and-a-half years to construct.

The 70m (230ft) high cruise ship had its first trial in March when it was guided out to sea from the port of Saint-Nazaire.

It will leave Southampton for a four-night cruise to Rotterdam on 22 May.

On 26 May it will leave the city again for a three-night cruise to Cherbourg before finally leaving Southampton for its summer base of Barcelona on 29 May.

Image copyrightPAImage captionThe 70m (230ft) high Harmony of the Seas makes its way up Southampton WaterImage copyrightROYAL CARIBBEANImage captionCrowds turned out to see the new cruise ship arriving in SouthamptonImage captionPreparing to berth in SouthamptonImage captionThe cruise ship features a 10-storey water slide and 23 swimming poolsImage copyrightPATRICIA DEMPSEYImage captionPatricia Dempsey captured the ship as it made its way into Southampton